Vanessa Howard, 1948-2010

Was very sad to learn recently that Vanessa Chartoff (nee Howard), who played Girly, passed away nearly two years ago at the age of 62. I know she wasn't famous, but I'd have thought at least the cult/grindhouse crowd would have run with the story; I found out by accident reading a long-forgotten thread on an obscure film forum. With her passing, Pat Heywood (Nanny) is the only confirmed living cast member. Howard Trevor (Sonny) pretty much disappeared from the face of the Earth after the movie came out, and the remainder of the cast (along with director Freddie Francis) have steadily passed away in their old age. Writer Brian Comport was still alive as of 2009, though he may have since passed on, as well.

Ms. Chartoff's obituary has since been removed from the web by the funeral home that handled her arrangements, so there's no information on her cause of death. I did find a mention, though, by a Scorpion Releasing representative who said that she'd wished to participate in the special features for their DVD release (which came out in early 2010) but was prevented from doing so due to her battle with an extended illness; so she had apparently been sick for quite some time.